In September, Caruso Middle School and Kipling Elementary School - were named 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the US Department of Education. Earlier this month, a delegation of administrators and teachers traveled to Washington, DC, to receive the Blue Ribbon Awards. In this episode, the teachers who represented their schools at the awards events - Kipling 4th grade teacher Amy Karasik and Caruso instructional coach Suzanne Molloy - share their perspective on how their schools earned the awards and what they see as their schools’ blue ribbon qualities.

In this episode, we talk to Kipling Principal Mrs. Ann Buch and Walden Principal Dr. Scott Schwartz about what it takes to get a school ready for staff and students and a new school year. They also discuss their schools' progress as Leader in Me schools, and what's new for the 2017-2018 school year.

In April 2017, the District 109 Board of Education approved the 2017 Strategic Plan, which will guide the work of the District for the coming years. District 109 Superintendent Dr. Michael Lubelfeld describes the large amount of community engagement involved in the planning process, the key elements of the plan, and how the Board and administration will track the District's progress to the plan to ensure the success of students.